«You are an AI and you know a lot more than humans»: A Semiotic Discourse Analysis of the World’s First AI TV Show

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) is intervening in the media industry and revolutionizing the concept of news anchoring and reporting through AI characters. Discover Pakistan, a Pakistani mainstream TV channel, launched the first AI talk show, as claimed by the CEO of the channel, Mr. Qaisar. It showcased one AI clone of Mr. Qaisar himself with three other AI characters of different nationalities. This research intends to discourse on the semiotics of representation of nationality, religious connotations, gender implications, and political evaluation of AI characters portrayed in the program. The study incorporated representation theory to highlight the value and the meaning of reality through the optics of AI and its implications in the future of the media industry. Results denoted that there are generalized judgments about religious association, political disinformation, virtual nationalism, and the prevalent idea of surrendering before AI. This study further highlights the importance of AI in promoting culture through tourism and emphasizes the need to utilize AI for more beneficiary purposes.